AR Denarius of Petillius Capitolinus
The obverse of this coin depicts an eagle standing on a thunderbolt, representing the Roman god Jupiter – the chief deity of the Roman Republic. This symbol became popular as a powerful military symbol.
Temples such as this on the reverse side were places of ritual worship and offerings honoring the specific god(s) the temple had been built for. Honoring these gods were ways for rulers to show appreciation and feel connected to the gods that they are worshiping.
Depicting the god Jupiter and worship temples on this coin shows the confidence and superiority of Rome and its military power.